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Boric to return for the Blues

theblues.co.nz and James Mortimer 21 Mar 2013 Photosport

Anthony Boric is back.

After contemplating walking away from the game he loves for good last year, the 24 Test All Black lock will mark a miraculous return to action when he lines up on the bench for Sunday’s clash with the Waratahs in Sydney.

Boric last played for the Blues against the Bulls more than a year ago after a bulging disc around his C5 and C6 vertebrae forced him off the field and into the surgery clinic.

Only a small scar now hints at the troubles Boric has endured, but after 12 months of gruelling rehabilitation, physiotherapy, endless gym sessions to strengthen his neck and a few hit-outs for the Blues development team, Boric is ready to step back into the Super Rugby arena.

“He’s had three pretty physical hit-outs for the Blues development team and he’s ready to go so he’ll slot back in,” Kirwan confirmed at Blues training today.

“I think the bench is the right place (to reintroduce him). He’s been through a pretty traumatic time and the emotion was a lot bigger three weeks ago when he played his first development game and he just continued to get better so he’s ready to go.”

It is ironic that Boric will mark his return to action against the same team and at the same venue where he made his Blues debut back in 2006, and he admitted those same mixed feelings of excitement and apprehension would be present on Sunday.

“It’s a bit of both,” Boric said. “Exciting but at the same time I usually get quite nervous leading into matches. Normally once I’m out there and right into the game I forget about the nerves and just get into it so that’s what I’m hoping happens.

“It’ll be nice to get back out there and get a few minutes under the belt and hopefully we can get a good result.”